Ontario Supporting Ice Storm Recovery in Durham Region

March 17, 2026

Funding will help cover emergency response and clean up costs

NEWS | March 17, 2026

DURHAM —To protect Ontario and keep communities safe, the Provincial Government is
providing up to $221,000 for ice storm assistance in the Regional Municipality of Durham.
The funding is part of Ontario’s $90-million Municipal Ice Storm Assistance program
and will help cover clean-up and emergency response costs due to a severe winter
weather event on March 28, 2025.

“The Region of Durham showed tremendous resilience following last year’s ice storm,
and this funding will help continue the important work of recovery and restoration,” said
Lone Coe, MPP for Whitby, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Children,
Community and Social Services, and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Colleges,
Universities, Research Excellence, and Security. “By supporting local emergency
response and clean-up efforts, our Government is ensuring municipalities, like the
Regional Municipality of Durham, have the resources they need to repair damage and
protect residents.”

The March 28, 2025, storm resulted in widespread damage, leaving nearly
400,000 homes and businesses without power across central and Eastern Ontario. In
parts of the Durham Region, the storm caused extensive tree damage, downed hydro
lines and prolonged power outages.

Municipal crews, hydro workers and first responders worked around the clock to restore
power, clear debris and keep residents safe in the days following the storm.
“Our government will always protect Ontario, especially in times of need,” said Rob Flack,
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “The relief being announced today
will safeguard local jobs and help the Regional Municipality of Durham rebuild, stronger
than ever.”

“Ontario stands with the people of Durham Region as they recover financially from last
year’s ice storm. This funding will help local officials respond quickly to the damage,
support emergency services on the ground, and cover the significant costs of clean up.
By helping municipalities manage these unexpected expenses, we’re ensuring
communities can focus on restoring safety, rebuilding infrastructure,” said Todd
McCarthy, MPP for Durham.

“The Province’s $221,000 in support is another clear way the Ontario government is
supporting our communities, and the Regional Municipality of Durham handle the
clean-up and emergency response costs from the 2025 ice storm,” said Peter
Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge. “This investment helped communities restore
key services without shouldering the full financial impact.”
In June 2025, the Ontario government launched the Municipal Ice Storm Assistance
program and Business Ice Storm Assistance program to help communities impacted by
the storm.

Quick Facts
• The Municipal Ice Storm Assistance program is providing municipalities with
funding to help cover storm-related emergency response and clean-up costs.
• The Business Ice Storm Assistance program is providing up to $5 million for
small businesses, small farms and not-for-profit organizations to assist with storm
related clean-up and essential repairs not covered by insurance.

Quotes
“The March 2025 ice storm placed significant strain on communities across Durham
Region. I want to thank our Regional and local municipal staff, emergency responders,
hydro crews, and community partners who worked tirelessly to keep residents safe and
restore essential services. This provincial funding will help offset cleanup and emergency
response costs.” – John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer for The Regional
Municipality of Durham

Additional Resources
• Ontario Supporting Spring Ice Storm Recovery | Ontario Newsroom
• Apply for Municipal Ice Storm Assistance (MISA) | ontario.ca
• Apply for ice storm recovery assistance | ontario.ca

-30-

MEDIA CONTACTS
Eric Hutchins,
Office of Lorne Coe,
MPP Whitby
905-430-1141
Lorne.coeco@pc.ola.org

Edward White
Office of Peter Bethlenfalvy,
MPP Pickering-Uxbridge
905-509-0336
Peter.bethlenfalvyco@pc.ola.org

Doug Ellis
Office of Todd McCarthy,
MPP Durham
905-697-1501
douglas.ellis@pc.ola.org